timetable

American  

[tahym-tey-buhl] / ˈtaɪmˌteɪ bəl /

noun

1. a schedule showing the times at which railroad trains, airplanes, etc., arrive and depart.

2. any schedule or plan designating the times at or within which certain things occur or are scheduled to occur.

   a timetable of coming musical events; a timetable of space research.

3. British.

   1. a university or college catalog listing all classes taught during a school semester, along with the time that each class is held, the instructor's name, etc.

   2. a student's class schedule or course of study during a school semester.

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timetable British  

/ ˈtaɪmˌteɪbəl /

noun

1. a list or table of events arranged according to the time when they take place; schedule

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verb

1. (tr) to include in or arrange according to a timetable

2. (intr) to draw up a timetable

Etymology

Origin of timetable

First recorded in 1830–40; time + table

Explanation

A timetable is a list or chart of the exact times buses, trains, or other modes of transportation are scheduled to arrive and depart. If you travel around Europe, you'll need a train timetable. In the U.K., a class schedule is sometimes called a timetable, while in North America it usually refers to a transportation schedule. You can find most timetables online, or you can carry one with you when you're in an unfamiliar city. Timetables tend to change over time, as new routes are added or exact departure times are adjusted.

Example Sentences

But East Midlands Railway said engineering work at various points on the Midland Main Line means there will be a reduced timetable and replacement bus services while the festival is on.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

“U.K. political risk is set to stay live via candidate selection, polling, party dynamics and any clearer timetable for a potential transition away from Starmer,” said Patrick Munnelly, strategist at Tickmill Group in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

If she’s not in cahoots with the unnervingly blasé doctor, she’s at least in agreement with the implacable timetable he’s laid out.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

His supporters want Starmer to lay out a timetable for his departure that allows Burnham to return to parliament and stand.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

My class went through the routine of settling down, scraping chairs, dusting desks, copying the new term timetable written on the board.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• agenda
• calendar
• itinerary
• plan
• program